EU Hoping For Fresh Signals From Iran

Foreign Minister of Germany Steinmeier (file photo) (epa)
September 15, 2006 - Germany's Foreign Minister says the European Union is hoping for fresh political signals from Iran that could resolve the row over its nuclear program.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he hoped another meeting between the EU foreign-policy chief, Javier Solana, and Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, would prompt Tehran to come up with fresh offers in the nuclear dispute.

Solana and Larijani were due to meet on September 14, but their meeting was postponed and a new date has not been set.

Iran failed to meet an August 31 UN deadline to suspend uranium enrichment, a process that makes fuel for nuclear power plants but also could be used to make nuclear weapons.

The United States has been pushing for a UN Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on Iran, but the EU has said it wants to give priority o diplomacy.